Dispensing control apparatus



S. STASENKO DI SPENSING CONTROL APPARATUS Y Oct. 31, 1967 Filed May 24, 1965 INVENTOR. STEPHEN 8 TASENKO Afro mvevs United States Patent 3,349,963 DISPENSING CONTROL APPARATUS Stephen Stasenko, Erie, Pa., assignor to A. 0. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of New York Filed May 24, 1965, Ser. No. 458,151 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-35) This invention relates to dispensing control apparatus and particularly to a switch operator moved in timed relation with a mechanical interlock for a resetting means or the like.

The present invention is particularly directed to the dispensing of various products such as gasoline and the like wherein a resettable computer mechanism or the like is provided as a part of the dispenser. The computer mechanism is coupled to the flow line through a flow meter and thereby is responsive to the discharge of gasoline to simultaneously record the quantity and the dollar amount on corresponding quantity counter wheels and dollar counter wheels. In order to insure proper recording of the individual successive transactions and charges for each delivery, the dispenser is provided with interlocking mechanisms which require resetting of the counter wheels before the motor or other control means is turned on and resetting of the interlocking mechanism to a standby position before the motor will turn off. The customer is thereby assured of receiving the volume of the product being charged for.

A satisfactory interlock mechanism is shown in US. Patents 2,874,874 and 2,874,875 which issued February 24, 1959 to N. Markoff and both of which employ a resetting cam in combination with an interlocking ratchet wheel for actuating the interlocking mechanism whereby the operator first actuates a trip lever which allows the mechanism to move to a counter wheel resetting position after which the operator rotates .a crank to effect actual pumping operation. In order to reset the mechanism to the standby position, the operator must positively move the crank to the ofl position which will again load the resetting mechanism for subsequent operations and again engages the trip lever mechanism. The operation of the dispenser motor switch is interconnected to the resetting mechanism through a cam which is rotated by the crank to prevent dispenser operation without resetting of the wheels. Normally, the cam has a suitable shaped periphery for positioning a follower which is coupled to a switch lever. As the mechanism is turned to reset the counter wheels the cam moves the lever to trigger or turn on the pump motor and permit dispensing. During the return movement, the cam follower is moved in the opposite direction to open the switch and turn off the motor. Generally, the switch has a slight differential movement during which the plunger and switch lever travel without actually effecting the change in the state of the switch. Heretofore the differential employed has been quite low and it has been possible to turn off the switch and subsequently turn the switch on without actually resetting of the mechanism by proper stopping of the crank in an intermediate position. This allows erroneous charging of a subsequent customer as the station operator may fraudulently or accidentally actuate the mechanism to dispense gasoline with an initial or starting quantity and price corresponding to the previous sale or discharge rather than zero. Although it is possible to increase the switch differential somewhat, the system does not provide highly reliable control as the mechanical interlocks may not necessarily function within the period of switching.

The present invention is directed to an improvement in the switch operating mechanism and its interconnection with the resetting mechanism to positively provide for resetting of the wheels and resetting of the interlock mechanism in a manner which prevents turning off of the system without resetting of the interlock mechanism and thereby insures that before each delivery the counter mechanism or computer is reset.

Generally, in accordance with the present invention, the switch difierential was enlarged to allow a greater movement between on and off positions. Additionally, the cam surface was formed to provide a distinct separation between the movement of the cam follower adjacent the on position and the off position. For example, the cam is provided with a contoured peripheral edge or the like for moving the cam follower in two distinct steps. The cam includes an on-portion and an off-portion separated by a holding portion which is of s-ufli'cient length to permit the mechanical interlocks of the computer mechanism to be established. During the holding portion, the switch remains on when the cam rotates from the on to the 0E position and remains off when the cam'rotates in the opposite direction.

The enlarged switch differential in combination with the extended hold holding portion of the cam has been found to provide an eifective and reliable device in which it is essentially impossible to turn off the pump mechanism without resetting of the interlock mechanism. The device therefore gives a highly reliable and practical mechanism for present installations as well as new installations to insure accurate discharging of the products by the retailer.

The drawings furnished herewith clearly illustrate the above advantages and features as well as others which will be clear from the following description.

"In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a dispenser with parts broken away to show the computer and operating mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a computer illustrating the interlocking mechanism; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the cam for operating the switch structure with the cam shown in full line in the off position.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, the present invention is shown as part of a conventional gasoline dispensing unit including an outer decorative enclosure or shell 1 within which a well known electrical operated pumping and metering system 2 is provided. A computer 3 is mounted within the shell above the pumping and metering system 2 and is coupled thereto to drive a set of quantity wheels 4 for recording the volume being dispensed and a set of money wheels 5 to simultaneously record the dollar amount of that volume as it is dispensed. The computer 3 can be reset to zero through actuation of a pivotally mounted trip lever 6 and a rotatably mounted reset crank 7, bot-h of which are disposed exteriorly of the shell 1 and coupled through suitable shafts to a computer reset and interlocking mechanism 8, shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, a switch cam 9 forms a part of the interlocking mechanism 8 for selective movement with the resetting mechanism. A switch follower 10 is positioned by the cam 9 and operates a switch 11 for turning on and off of the pumping and metering system 2. The switch unit 11 is connected in a suitable control circuit for an electrically operated motor 12 of the pumping and metering system.

In the operation of the dispenser, the operator actuates the trip lever 6 which releases the interlock mechanism 8 to reset the wheels 4 and 5 and permit rotation of the computer crank 7. Mechanism 8 includes a stop for the computer reset crank 7 and limits the rotation in a given direction for coupling of the wheels 4 and 5 to metering system 2 and to start motor 12. Thus, the

rotation of the crank 7 rotates the cam 9 for actuating the switch unit 11 to energize the pumping motor 12.

When it is desired to turn off the pumping unit at the end of the dispensing operation, the computer crank 7 is returned to the normal standby position during which time the trip lever 6 again engages the mechanism 8 to hold it in the interlock position and simultaneously resets the switch cam 9 to turn off the motor 12.

The present invention is particularly directed to the construction of the switch cam and its interrelationship with the interlock mechanism of the computer 3 and consequently the computer is only described in sufficient detail to clearly illustrate the improved cam operator.

Generally, the illustrated computer is similar to that shown in US. Patent 2,874,874. In particular the inter lock mechanism 8 generally includes an operating shaft 13 which is connected to the computer crank 7 for rotation thereby and carries cam 9. A ratchet wheel 14 is secured to the outer end of shaft 13 and includes a plurality of edge teeth 15, 16 and 17 selectively engageable with a latch pawl 18 which is pivotally mounted adjacent the periphery of the ratchet wheel 14. In addition, as shown in the previously referred to Patent 2,874,874 a reset cam 19 is rotatably journaled on the crank shaft 13 with a spring 20 loading the reset cam 19 and continuously urging the cam 19 to a tripped position. A trip pawl 22 is coupled to lever 6 by a shaft 23 upon which pawl 18 is journaled and holds the mechanism in the loaded position until released by pivotal movement of lever 6. Reset latch pawl 24 is pivotally mounted to the cam 19 and is spring loaded to bias one end into selective locking engagement with a cam edge portion of a deep reset notch 25, formed in the periphery of the ratchet wheel 14, during reset of the mechanism to the illustrated position. When the trip pawl 22 is rotated by actuation of the trip lever 6, the spring 20 turns the cam 19 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. The pawl 18 engages the end notch 17 of the ratchet wheel 14 to hold the wheel in a standby position with the cam 9 in the original start or initial position and motor 2 deenergized. The cam 19 actuates a suitable mechanism, not shown herein, to rotate the wheels 4 and until the zero reading appears in the visual windows of the computer and further cams pawl 18 from the tooth or notch 17. At that time, a reset element, not shown, will releasably lock the wheels 4 and 5 in position and disengage the resetting mechanism.

The operator then turns the crank 7 through 90 degrees which interconnects the quantity and amount wheels 4 and 5 to the metering system 3 such that all subsequent delivery is recorded by the wheels. Simultaneously, the ratchet wheel 14 and switch cam 9 are rotated with the crank shaft 13. Wheel 14 rotates with the notch 25 moving past pawl 24 to condition the mechanism for reset, as subsequently described. Cam 9 moves the switch follower in the proper direction to close switch unit 11 and turn on the pump motor 12; thereby permitting the dispensing of gasoline.

As shown in FIG. 3, which is a fragmentary vertical section viewed from the direction opposite FIG. 2, switch 11 is disposed to one side of mechanism 8 within the computer 3 and includes a cantilevered arm 26 terminating in engagement with follower 10, which is slidably supported in a suitable bearing structure 27. Switch 11 is designed to require a selected differential movement of lever 26 to change the operating state of the switch.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the cam 9 is secured to the shaft 13 through a suitable set screw 28 or the like. The periphery of the cam 9 is generally spirally shaped and includes, within 90 of the cam periphery, an inward off-step portion 29 and an angularly spaced inward on-step portion 30 interconnected by a hold portion 31.

The onand ofl-step portions 29 and 30 are provided with a slight radius having a center extending located exteriorly of the periphery of the cam 9 to provide a smooth transition for follower 10 to the hold portion 31 which has a constant radius with respect to the center of rotation of the cam 9. The on portion 29 is a somewhat more rapidly dropping or inwardly projecting curved surface during which the follower 10 moves toward the cam 9 and the switch 11 closes. Generally, the center points of the portions 29 and 30 are radially offset to correspond to the required movement of arm 26.

The cam 9 is secured to shaft 13 with a peripheral on-point spaced from the follower 10 with the crank 7 in the standby position, as shown in phantom in FIG. 3, and moves through 90 to the full line position of FIG. 3 in response to the rotation of the crank 7 during which period, as previously noted, the counter wheels 4 and 5 are coupled to the metering system. During the rotation, the follower 10 moves inwardly over the peripheral portions 2931 for turning on the pump motor 12. During this latter period, the mechanical interlock mechanism 8 functions.

As the cam 9 is rotated from the 01f position, the follower 10 thus moves down the off portion 29 onto the hold portion 31. During this time, the switch 11 remains in the open or motor-off state due to the differential action of the switch and remains in the off position during the complete period of rotation spanning the hold portion 31. As it moves past the hold position, the follower 10 rides down the periphery of the cam 9 on the on-step portion 30 and at approximately the center portion thereof the switch closes to energize the motor 12 and permit dispensing of gasoline or the like which is recorded by the wheels 4 and 5. During this period, wheel 14 rotates and notch 25 moves past pawl 24 to the reset position.

When the desired quantity is dispensed, the operator releases the nozzle valve to stop the flow and the quantity and price wheels are set in accordance with the dispensed quantity. The pump motor remains on. To reset the device the operator rotates the crank 7 in the opposite direction; i.e. in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in the drawings to reset cam 9 and interlock mechanism 8. The ratchet wheel 14 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 and after partial rotation the pawl 24 is engaged by a cam edge of notch 25 such that the subsequent wheel rotation also rotates the cam 19 in a corresponding direc tion to load the operating spring 20. This also disengages the wheel shaft from the metering system and thus resets the wheel shaft, not shown, to provide for a subsequent resetting of counter wheels 4 and 5.

The rotation of cam 19 also releases pawl 18 which will pivot into locking engagement with wheel 14, as more fully described in the previously referred to patents. The last notch of the ratchet wheel 14 is engaged by the pawl 18 in the final position and holds it in the reset position awaiting subsequent retrip for the next release of gasoline.

During the return or counterclockwise rotation of the cam 9 with wheel 14, the cam follower 10 initially follows a small constant radius portion to the switch on-step portion 30 and then is forced outwardly as it moves to the hold portion 31. During this entire movement including the complete movement through the hold position, the switch 11 is closed and motor 12 is maintained on. During this latter movement, the resetting interlock mechanism 8 is set with the spring 20 loaded and latch pawl 18 released such that it is impossible to reverse the rotation of the crank 7 without first tripping lever 6, which will also release cam 19 to reset wheels 4 and 5. Only after this period does the off-step portion 29 engage follower 10 to cause sufficient outward movement of follower 10 to pivot arm 26 to turn off the motor 12. Mechanism 8 with the improved cam 9 make location of the crank 7 in any intermediate position for turning off the pump motor without resetting the mechanism 8 impossible. In this manner, the mechanism insures that the counter wheels 4 and 5 are Degrees Full on position to start of on-step portion 30 28 On-step portion 30 17 Hold portion 31 24 Oif-step portion 29 21 The present invention is not only relatively simple and reliable but is highly desirable in that it can be readily adapted to the many existing service station gasoline pumps.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claim particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

In a dispensing unit having a computer mechanism means responsive to flow through a flow line and an electrically actuated control means to control flow through the flow line,

means coupled to the computer mechanism and having a first member (19) movable between a first position and a second position and resetting the computer mechanism to a standby position during movement from said first position to said second position, spring means (20) urging the first member to the second position, an interlocking mechanism having a latch pawl (24) secured to the first member and releasably engaging a rotatable latch member 14) to hold the first member in the first position against the force of the spring means and having means (22) releasing the latch pawl (24) from said latch member (14) and permitting the spring means to move the first member (19) to the second position,

a switch means (11) connected in a circuit for actuating the electrically actuated control means and having a switch arm (26) with an on-off difierential movement between a switch open position and a switch. closed position,

a rotating switch cam (9) having a peripheral cam edge including a switch on-portion (29) on one radius and a circumferentially spaced switch off-portion (30) of different radius jointed by a hold portion (31) of an intermediate radius, a generally rod-like cam follower (10) slidably mounted between the switch arm and the cam edge and being urged into engagement with the cam edge, said switch on-portion holding the switch means in the switch closed position and the switch off-portion holding the switch means in the switch open position, said switch means (11) being held in the previous open or closed position during movement of the switch operator (9) through said hold portion, and

a manually actuated member (7) connected to rotate said switch cam (9) and said latch member (14) and movable from a first position to a second position for simultaneously moving the switch cam (9) and the latch member (14) to turn on the switch means and with the first member (19) in the second position to re-engage the latch pawl (24) and the latch member (14), said manually actuated member (7 being moved from the second position to the first position to turn off the switch means and re-esta'blishing the first position of the first member (19) and the latch member (14) as the hold portion of the cam moves past said follower.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,973,324 9/1934 Anderson 200-153 X 2,792,468 5/1957 Kozikowski 200153 X 2,874,875 2/1959 Markoff 222-35 40 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. 

